The Abode of Kings

The Abode of Kings

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Forged out of an empty wilderness by Myanmar’s former ruling military junta a decade ago and fashioned into the country’s new capital, Naypyitaw — the “abode of kings” — is a city of contrasts.

Traffic policemen stand on an empty 20-lane road leading to the country’s parliament, alongside luxury hotels and lavish temples.

. Naypyitaw, Myanmar. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

Workers can be seen walking the streets with bricks on their heads, as the city is home to ambitious construction projects.

Nearby are are temples adorned with golden statues, such as the Uppatasanti Pagoda, which features a golden dome that still has builders working on it and sees worshipers pouring water over Buddah sculptures.

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Slideshow

A man sleeps inside a train parked at the train station.
. Naypyitaw, Myanmar. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

A man sleeps inside a train parked at the train station.

A man lies down on the floor in a train station.
. Naypyitaw, Myanmar. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

A man lies down on the floor in a train station.

A man crosses an empty, 20-lane road leading to the country's parliament building.
. Naypyitaw, Myanmar. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

A man crosses an empty, 20-lane road leading to the country's parliament building.

Construction workers carry buckets across the road.
. Naypyitaw, Myanmar. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

Construction workers carry buckets across the road.

Construction workers carry bricks on their heads near parliament.
. Naypyitaw, Myanmar. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

Construction workers carry bricks on their heads near parliament.

A man jokes with female workers.
. Naypyitaw, Myanmar. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

A man jokes with female workers.

A girl wearing a hat and tanaka paste on her face gets out of a fountain.
. Naypyitaw, Myanmar. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

A girl wearing a hat and tanaka paste on her face gets out of a fountain.

Believers walk on the stairs leading to Uppatasanti Pagoda, a replica of the famous Shwedagon Pagoda of Yangon.
. Naypyitaw, Myanmar. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

Believers walk on the stairs leading to Uppatasanti Pagoda, a replica of the famous Shwedagon Pagoda of Yangon.

People work on the golden dome of Uppatasanti Pagoda.
. Naypyitaw, Myanmar. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

People work on the golden dome of Uppatasanti Pagoda.

Believers pour water over a Buddha sculpture under the golden dome.
. Naypyitaw, Myanmar. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

Believers pour water over a Buddha sculpture under the golden dome.